Obama's Brain Conducts Diplomacy

If Karl Rove was Bush’s brain, then Valerie Jarrett must be Obama’s brain.

Jarrett usually remains behind the scenes, but the negative reaction to her and Obama’s decision not to send a high level representative to the Paris march against terrorism forced her to go on television to explain—or rationalize—administration inaction.

There she explained that the administration might have gotten the formality wrong, but it got the substance right. She then called the demonstration, one that drew millions of Frenchmen and women and dozens of political leaders, a “parade.”

Perhaps Jarrett does not know what a parade is. After not sending a high administration official to Paris for the demonstration, calling it a parade added insult to injury.

To top it off, Jarrett explained that Secretary of State John Kerry would soon be traveling to Paris to express the administration’s solidarity with the French government and the French people.

Presumably, that would count as getting the substance right.

By now you probably know, John Kerry is in Paris. Skilled diplomat that he is, master of adult language Kerry announced that he was bringing a “big hug” to the French people.

And he expressed the administration’s true feelings by bringing crooner James Taylor with him.

Why was James Taylor there?

Glad you asked.

He serenaded the French with his somewhat outdated adolescent anthem: “You’ve Got a Friend.”

Thus, the Obama administration has chosen to treat a trusted ally, one whose people have recently suffered two violent terrorist attacks, like a mooning adolescent.

As a sign of resolute determination in the war on terror it left something to be desired.

It’s called doubling down on an insult.